ȽÁU,WELNEW/JOHN DEAN PARK

Bill 16 – 2019 changes the name of John Dean Park.

In 1921, John Dean saved this intact property by creating a provincial park. Mr. Dean saved his property from loggers, and inspired future land additions to the park. Today, this provincial park encompasses the summit of Mount Newton/ȽÁU,WELNEW.

First Reading of Bill 16 – March 25, 2019

Second Reading of Bill 16 – May 2, 2019

Third Reading of Bill 16 – May 14, 2019

Royal Assent of Bill 16 – May 16, 2019

W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council event – June 2019

ȽÁU,WELNEW is best pronounced as

Tlay will nook

May 1, 2019: E-mail received from MLA Adam Olsen: “Hi Jarrett, I am sorry for the late notice. I just found out that they are calling the Bill for the official name change John Dean to ȽÁU,WELNEW/John Dean tomorrow at 11am in the Legislature. We have been honoured with the work you have done on behalf of our sacred mountain, I would like to have you here as well. Please let us know if you are able to attend. You will need to be here at about 10:45am. – Adam”

May 2, 2019: I arrived at the BC Legislature at 9am, toured the building and watched the 30min question period. Next, was the Second Reading of Bill 16 – 2019: Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2019 (changes the name of John Dean Park). I sat in seat #98, next to Adam Olsen’s family, and with a total of 24 W̱SÁNEĆ people, 13 were students.

3 Schedule C is amended

(f) by repealing the name of John Dean Park and substituting the following:

ȽÁU,WELNEW/JOHN DEAN PARK

ȽÁU,WELNEW (Place of Refuge/Escape) is best pronounced as: Tlay will nook

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the Honourable George Heyman spoke of this year’s act (11:17:50 to 11:26). He started by acknowledging and thanking the W̱SÁNEĆ leaders, and he recognised me by name as a long-time park volunteer. At 11:19am, I was so surprised to hear my name: “and Jarrett Teague, a long-time volunteer, who has done work in the park, which I`m about to address.” Next, at exactly 11:19:45am, the new name “ȽÁU,WELNEW/JOHN DEAN PARK” was spoken in the Legislature, it sounded perfect and beautiful . . .

Next, our MLA Adam Olsen spoke of the mountains important history, told the legend of the Great Flood, and the story behind the name of the ȽÁU,WELNEW Tribal School (11:26 to 11:40:45). His speech was all-encompassing, thoughtful, wise, and is very much worth watching. Here’s the link to Adam’s Blog (4 May 19). Suggest watching his entire 15min speech, it’s great.

Afterwards, the adults and students alike met in Adam’s office for a visit and some interviews were conducted. In conclusion, I feel excited – this is amazing for the park. The mountain’s true name is ȽÁU,WELNEW (Place of Refuge/Escape), a name which I’ve honoured and promoted since 1990. Now the mountains traditional name is properly bestowed upon this super natural provincial park.

Next, Bill 16 will go through Committee for a few weeks. Since there is no objection, this Bill should be signed by Lt Governor of BC, the Honourable Janet Austin by mid-summer 2019.

BC Government News Release, March 25, 2019

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019ENV0011-000476

To reflect ancestral connections and support reconciliation efforts, the amendments also include renaming John Dean Park to ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Park (pronounced Tlay-will-nook), which means “place of refuge” in the language of the W̱SÁNEĆ people.

“Giving this park a traditional Indigenous name connects us all with the original history and cultures of our province and supports ongoing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples throughout B.C.,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “I was moved when I received a number of letters from young Indigenous students who all requested this change and expressed so clearly the meaning it would have for them. This legislation also expands our parks and strengthens protection of sensitive lands, so British Columbians will be able to enjoy beautiful natural spaces for years to come.”

4 Comments

Congratulations to Jarret Teague and the W̱SÁNEĆ people. Well done. Elder Marie Cooper would be proud of you. My only suggestion is that somewhere on a plaque or poster board the local story of the great flood be told, or at least add the mountain’s true name LÁU,WELNEW (Place of Refuge/Escape), and perhaps why it was a place of refuge.

WOW – a gratulations is on order here to you and gov’ for what sounds like a slam dunk exercise in finally getting the appropriate name bestowed on the park. Your contributions over the years I am sure have help spur this forward. And to asked to witness it in the legislature to boot – Kool.
I look forward to hearing more one day.